This month, audiences can screen The Search For Me on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
The Search For Me, a heartfelt short film produced by Kevin Keck, follows a senior high school student who grapples with uncertainty about applying for college. When her younger self unexpectedly appears, they embark on a transformative journey to rediscover her past and gain inspiration for her college application. With relatable themes of self-discovery and the power of reflection, the film encourages viewers to embrace their authentic selves and draw strength from their personal history. Keck’s storytelling transcends age and background, drawing from universal experiences and inviting audiences of all stages in life to engage in introspection and find resonance in their own unique journeys.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Kevin Keck.
Kevin, What inspired you to create this film and what message did you hope to convey to audiences?
Our team was really drawn to ideas surrounding how people create and mold their identities at key points in their lives. Throughout the development process, we really focused on this idea of the type of person our past selves hoped we would be and if we could somehow rediscover that through altering our outlook on life.
The film uses a unique narrative structure, with the college applicant being visited by a younger version of themselves. What led you to use this approach and how did you work to balance the film’s realism with its more fantastical elements?
The narrative revolving around a college applicant was a fun product of the location and background that the film was developed in. Our team developed this while working and attending a university in East Tennessee. So it seemed like a natural shared experience because it was something we were all going through or had recently gone through. Striking that balance between realism and play felt natural because it was a fun manifestation of what we were thinking.
The film deals with themes of self-discovery and reconnecting with one’s past. Were there any personal experiences or inspirations that influenced these themes in the film?
I think the special thing about this story was how it spoke to universal experiences. We’ve all questioned or had second thoughts about our direction in life. This is a story that anyone at any stage in life can draw on their own experience and compare.
The film ends on a hopeful note, with the college applicant jumping into a lake and reconnecting with their past self. How important was it for you to end the film on a positive and empowering note, and how do you hope audiences will be affected by this ending?
An uplifting ending was always what we had planned on. It felt right for our team. But more importantly, the ending is a little “unfinished” and leaves the audience to set out on their own journey. That’s the effect our team hopes to create.
Thank you Kevin!
C. M. Rubin and Kevin Keck
Don’t miss The Search for Me, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
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